After graduating from Cherokee High School in 1986, Richard Sneed served in the United States Marine Corp for four years. On May 25, 2017, he was officially sworn in as Principal Chief of the Eastern Band and subsequently re-elected as Principal Chief on September 5th, 2019. Chief Sneed has also recently been elected as the Vice-Chairman of the Center for Disease Control’s Tribal Advisory Committee.
During his time in office, Chief Sneed has successfully passed legislation that enhanced transparency, accountability, and economic opportunities for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. He believes in the unrestricted potential of the Eastern Band and its ability to sustainably meet the needs of its people. By investing in a long-range vision that responsibly balances resources with the needs of the Cherokee people, Principal Chief Richard Sneed is committed to ensuring that the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians continues to thrive for generations to come.